Academic and Research Collaborative (ARC)

Gordon Library is pleased to announce that, along with other academic and research libraries in central Massachusetts, we are now members of a newly formed group within the Central Massachusetts Regional Library System (CMRLS) called the Academic and Research Collaborative (ARC). All services formerly provided by WACL (Worcester Area Cooperating Libraries) will now be administered by CMRLS.

ARC direct borrowing cards

One result of this new collaboration is that the cards that enable users to borrow directly from area libraries. Before they will be allowed to borrow materials directly from the participating libraries, WPI faculty, staff, and students must obtain a new ARC card in person at the Gordon Library's Information Desk. Cards will not be distributed automatically to faculty and staff as they have been in the past.

Libraries where you can use your ARC card

Several college and university libraries in the central Massachusetts area have agreed to mutually share their libraries' resources. Each of these libraries will grant borrowing privileges to students, faculty and staff of other participating colleges/universities as long as they have obtained an ARC card from their home libraries. The WPI Gordon Library has ARC direct borrowing agreements with these libraries:

Anna Maria College | Catalog | Library Home |
American Antiquarian Society | Catalog | Library Home |
(Restricted access, call the Head of Readers' Services at 508-755-5221)
Assumption College | Catalog | Library Home |
Atlantic Union College | Catalog | Library Home |
Becker College | Catalog | Library Home |
Clark University | Catalog | Library Home |
College of the Holy Cross | Catalog | Library Home |
Fitchburg State College | Catalog | Library Home |
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Science | Catalog | Library Home |
Massachusetts Trial Court Libraries Worcester | Catalog | Library Home |
Mount Wachusett Community College | Catalog | Library Home |
Nichols College | Catalog | Library Home |
Quinsigamond Community College | Catalog | Library Home |
Salter School | Home |
Worcester State College | Catalog | Library Home |

Guidelines

Every faculty, staff and student must have a current, valid ID from WPI as well as the ARC Card to borrow from the above libraries. You will be asked for both your WPI ID and your ARC card when you visit a participating library. ARC cards will be valid for one year.
The use of these libraries is a privilege, and the cooperating libraries have established procedures to ensure fairness and encourage patron responsibility.
ARC cardholders need to remember that the rules of the "lending" library apply when they borrow library materials from another institution. These rules may be different from the Gordon Library policies. If you are unsure about any of the borrowing guidelines, be sure to ask the lending library about its policies.
Anyone who abuses these borrowing privileges will have them revoked, and they are subject to appropriate action that might be taken by the Gordon Library.
See Circulation Policies for ARC borrowers for additional information

Questions

Please contact Deborah Bockus, Head of Access Services, (e-mail dbockus@wpi.edu or ext. 5230) if you have questions or concerns.

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Last modified: Feb 20, 2008, 16:10 EST